title: Engineered applications of ureolytic biomineralization: a review.
abstract: Microbially-induced calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation (MICP) is a widely explored and promising technology for use in various engineering applications. In this review, CaCO3 precipitation induced via urea hydrolysis (ureolysis) is examined for improving construction materials, cementing porous media, hydraulic control, and remediating environmental concerns. The control of MICP is explored through the manipulation of three factors: (1) the ureolytic activity (of microorganisms), (2) the reaction and transport rates of substrates, and (3) the saturation conditions of carbonate minerals. Many combinations of these factors have been researched to spatially and temporally control precipitation. This review discusses how optimization of MICP is attempted for different engineering applications in an effort to highlight the key research and development questions necessary to move MICP technologies toward commercial scale applications.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA. adrienne.phillips@biofilm.montana.edu
authors.forename: Adrienne J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerlach
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lauchnor
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Alfred B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spangler
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000382:microbiology*; D004738:Engineering; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D014508:Urea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014508:Urea; D002119:Calcium Carbonate